itSMF 2017 September Bulletin Bulletin - September 2017 | Page 5

Manual Counting Strategy & Solution
• Generally inaccurate and lacks consistency from
person to person due to the issue of multiple points of
accessibility to open space events. • In addition, manual counting can only be done for
short periods due to the related cost in human
resources required in multiple areas for extended
periods. CoGG engaged DC Service Management Consultancy
(DCSM) to analyse and deliver an appropriate solution to
the challenges discussed. This required DCSM to
investigate and identify appropriate businesses and
devices which, once combined, could deliver a solution.
DCSM contacted and communicated with a number of
businesses and recommended a service utilising the
following suppliers:
• Overlooking the cost aspect of using this method,
accurate counting is difficult in large crowds and
intersections where there may be many attendees
both leaving and arriving at the same time.
•
•
•
FORTELR – a Melbourne based tech company that
provided devices, which use Bluetooth & Wi-Fi
signals as the primary method for counting
attendee numbers through the scanning of
attendee mobile devices within an identified
proximity and sends the anonymous data to a
server for further filtering and processing.
Barracom - local contractors were engaged to
provide the local network infrastructure in
preparing each of the sites in order to make power
and network connectivity available for the Fortelr
Devices.
SiteLantern – cloud software company that
provided the Data Analytics Dashboard software
and a database to which the Fortelr Devices could
upload data. The Data Analytics Dashboard allows
the data collected to be displayed as a visual
representation and allowed data to be filtered and
sorted in various ways.
Wi-Fi Counting
• This method is most useful when counting attendees
who are connected to free community Wi-Fi, however
accurate analysis can only be achieved if a majority is
connected to the service.
• Wi-Fi scanning has a tendency to overstate numbers
especially with iOS devices This method requires a
highly stable, reliable network and Wi-Fi infrastructure
to accommodate the large number of connections.
Video Counting
• Video counting systems require a highly controlled
area.
• Accuracy is based on stability of environmental
conditions such as sufficient lighting and visibility, clear
weather etc.
Requires high end equipment which is very costly.
•
5 itSMF Bulletin—September 2017
The implementation and installation of the above
solution was completed in a 7 day time frame from the
date of its approval. Once it was completed, an initial
three month trial period commenced during which it
continued to monitor the effectiveness of the solution, as
well as ensuring the system continued to operate
correctly. DCSM handled the active monitoring of this 3
month phase during which we:
•
liaised between all providers to ensure delivery
was achieved; performed daily checks of the data
being collected;